Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Newbie: How to clamp material to cut shapes out of the center?

Hi Jom,

That can be a problem. One solution is not to cut all the way through.
Leave 0.002" or so. You can then snap the parts out of the sheet when
you have finished. It takes a bit of experimentation to get the right
thickness. The small amount of 'flash' left is easily removed with
abrasive paper or an abrasive rubber wheel. Another solution is to use
double sided adhesive tape to hold the sheet down to a sacrificial
backing sheet. The tape will hold the part in place while you cut it
out. Depending on the size of the part you may have to use two or more
passes so that the last pass does not cause enough load to move it.
Obviously cleanliness is important when applying the tape. This can be a
pain if you use coolant.

Another technique is to use holding tabs. On the last pass you don't cut
all the way through in two or three places around the periphery of the
part. You can then snap them out of the sheet when you have finished.
Again you will need a bit of finishing work.

Les

kaptainkarst wrote:

>I finaly have my CNC machine (ShopTask 3 in 1 machine) "dialed in" and
>running well.
>I've done several projects on the lathe and mill and am pleased with
>the outcome.
>
>Now what I want to accomplish is to use the CNC to cut several shapes
>from a single piece of flat material.
>
>